On April 12, 2011 police tried to serve a warrant for Torres' arrest in his family's Taylor Ranch home after a road rage incident. Torres, a schizophrenic, was on pajamas in a swing in the back yard. That's where he died after police said he became agitated during the arrest and grabbed an officer's gun.

The district attorney found no basis for criminal charges against the officers.

Torres' parents said they waited years for some type of justice, and some finally came last week when the DOJ released its report on APD.

"We have determined, that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Albuquerque Police Department engages in a pattern or practice of use of excessive force," DOJ Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels said.

The DOJ came to Albuquerque with a scathing report on the police department. The Torres family said the findings confirm what they've been saying for years.

"It was very emotional. It's just really unfortunate that it took so many lives to be lost before we go to this juncture," said Renetta Torres, Christopher Torres' mother.

"I am very pleased that a lot of our concerns, not just ours but all the other families as well, a lot of our concerns have been validated," said Stephen Torres, Christopher Torres' father.

The report went a step further, saying APD used excessive force against people with mental illness who were unable to comply with officer's commands for reasons beyond their control.

"I certainly knew in my heart that the Department of Justice was going to come down with some very, very harsh findings," said Renetta Torres.

The Torres family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking $4 million in damages. The trial began last month and should be settled soon.